Novelty lenses now require medical licence

Anybody could make or sell contacts before, putting users at great risk

WATERLOO — Health Canada is cracking down on the sale of novelty contact lenses, which can cause serious eye infections or impaired vision from poor quality or improper use.

“I think this is a wonderful decision. This is great for Canadians,” said Lyndon Jones, director of the Centre for Contact Lens Research at the University of Waterloo.

Starting on Sunday, decorative contact lenses — worn to change the look or colour of a person’s eyes — will be regulated as a medical device in Canada. That means companies that want to produce, sell and distribute the cosmetic lenses must obtain a medical device licence before selling them.

“It ensures the quality of the product,” Jones said.

The government announced the new regulations in July 2015 and said they would come into effect the following July. Health Canada then gave manufacturers a year to file for medical device licences.

In the United States, United Kingdom and Japan, it has been illegal to sell cosmetic lenses without a prescription since 2009, Jones said.

Now in Canada, cosmetic lenses will be required to meet the same medical device safety standards as prescription or corrective contact lenses. Previously, they were regulated as consumer products.

“Basically, it could be produced by anyone,” Jones said. “There’s no guarantee they’re safe to wear at all.”

He said it’s common for novelty lenses to be sold on the street corner in East Asia, with no guarantee they’re sterile, and the colouring can rub off.

“Up until this week, those lenses could be sold in Canada,” Jones said.

Another big problem with off-the-shelf cosmetic contact lenses is that no instructions are given on proper handling and cleaning, which greatly increases the chance of a serious eye infection.

“The major risk is if you don’t safely disinfect them,” Jones said. He added the lenses might not even be made in a sterile environment and “they could be contaminated right from the very opening.”

Jones stressed that cosmetic lenses produced by a reputable company and fitted by an optometrist are safe and “they look beautiful.” It’s off-the-shelf lenses that are dangerous.

“Literally, they are blinding,” Jones said.

Under the new regulations, cosmetic lenses will now only be available from a licensed practitioner.

“They will be fit appropriately. There will be advice given on how to clean them,” Jones said.

While he said some people may balk at the extra cost, the new rules are welcomed by eye health experts.

“The extra cost is far worth it compared to the lack of safety that existed before.”